Posted - 02/20/2013 : 12:17:05 Not sure how Hedman has all of a sudden jumped past the likes of Karlsson, Letang, Shattenkirk, Pietrangelo, Yandle, Staal, Chara, Weber, Keith, Doughty, Subban (should I stop already) after the first 14 games of this season. I presume you watched the Habs game on TSN were he scored twice to help bring them back

I know D-Men develop later than forwards, but up until this year I would consider Hedman's performance as an underachiever especially as a number one pick. He was suppose to be the next big Dman (Pronger like) when he got drafted and I have not seen a whole lot that impressed me about him up until this season. He is playing very well right now, but even out of the guys that are in & around his age bracket / development stage I would rank him 8 of 8 when it comes to the likes of Karlsson, Doughty, Pietrangelo, Shatenkirk & Subban, Letang & Staal. I get your remark about the plus/ minus comment, but lets not forget that has a lot to do with the fact he is the number one dman on the top scoring team in hockey (very similar to Mike Green a couple years ago) it does not bolster his value or make him more impressive.

The 8 guys I mentioned have the ability to be game changers whether it is a key block, pass break up, end to end rush or through the seem pass. Hedman is developing these but I still do not believe he possesses the top end skills that these other players do that would put him in the top 5 little own number 1.

To answer the question at hand Karlsson leads the way (injury could completely change that) with Letang & Keith right behind him. A year or two from now we may see everybody chasing the Blues two back end dynamo's, but only time will tell.

Every journey begins with a single step.

Go_Habs_Go

Posted - 02/20/2013 : 10:50:17 I'm sure this debate could go far...but I'm not even a Tampa Bay fan, or a Hedman fan...but i watch many of his games, and boy is it hard to pass through him...he's really solid defensively. his +/- shows...

"Bon point Jacques!" - Benoît Brunet

Leafs81

Posted - 02/19/2013 : 13:14:49

quote:Originally posted by Go_Habs_Go

good to specify. Because the best all-around d-man is Hedman, but for points...i would go with byfuglien

"Bon point Jacques!" - Benoît Brunet

Really Hedman the best all around D? That could start a good debate.

Guest4315

Posted - 02/17/2013 : 10:14:07 Karlson is injured for season though. So he is actually going to get the least amount of points. Him or Weber, what's up with Weber?!?!

sahis34

Posted - 02/16/2013 : 22:26:24 Karlson is the obvious choice and hes not there so

Guest4315

Posted - 02/16/2013 : 16:08:52 Time to make the revised 2.0 version. Where's Doughty, Schultz, Chara, Carle, Green?I'm sure there is even a few more who can contest.

Guest9500

Posted - 02/16/2013 : 15:05:40 I knew I forgot one. Ya byfuglien should be in the poll.

Go_Habs_Go

Posted - 02/16/2013 : 14:43:28 I don't understand how you can forget Dustin Byfuglien in a poll on d-men pts...

"Bon point Jacques!" - Benoît Brunet

Go_Habs_Go

Posted - 02/16/2013 : 14:42:31 good to specify. Because the best all-around d-man is Hedman, but for points...i would go with byfuglien

"Bon point Jacques!" - Benoît Brunet

Guest9500

Posted - 02/16/2013 : 09:56:08 Ok this poll is strictly related to overall points by the end of the regular season. Sorry for not specifying.

Alex116

Posted - 02/16/2013 : 08:38:11 Is this "best" defenseman still related to points only??? Makes a huge difference if you're meaning "best all around dman" as compared to simply points!